Thursday, June 19, 2008

Faculty Emeriti honored at luncheon

Four faculty emeriti in the College of Education and Human Services were honored at a celebratory luncheon on Thursday, June 19, in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby of the Public Affairs Center.

Each of those honored took part, with family members, in the unveiling of their personal, exquisitely-painted portraits, which will be hung in Brookens Library.

Done Yohe and Drs. Gary Storm, Barbara Hartman and Jack Genskow were recognized during the reception. Genskow, who has passed away since his retirement from the university, was represented by his wife and other family members.

All four honored faculty began at the university when it was Sangamon State University. Genskow came to SSU in 1978 and remained for 18 years while serving as professor and then chair of human development counseling.

"His prestigious presence was highly sought-after on numerous councils, committees and boards," said Larry Stonecipher, dean of the College of Education and Human Resources. "But it pales in comparison to the interpersonal contributions that he made to each and every person he knew. Those of us who knew Jack would find it difficult to adequately describe him. Apt descriptions include authentic, genteel, respectful, compassionate, hardworking. These virtues made him immensely effective as an adviser and teacher."

Dr. Barbara Hartman started at the university in 1973 and spent 20 years here as an associate professor of human development counseling and chair of the human development counseling department.

"As a teacher, Dr. Hartman had rigorous expectations of her students, yet even higher expectations of herself," Stonecipher said. "With passion, she devoted countless hours to the refinement of her courses and delivery of the content through teaching, always providing copious and truly meaningful feedback to her students. Dr. Hartman's striking contributions to the program, college and university created an enduring legacy for which we are all grateful."

Dr. Gary Storm came to SSU also in 1973 and served as a professor of both teacher education and social justice, chair of the teacher education program and associate dean of the human services and sciences during his 30 years here.

"His impact of service extended throughout the region by means of his extraordinary outreach of public service," Stonecipher said of Storm. "He is a model of service, scholarship and public engagement."

Don Yohe spent 27 years at SSU, starting in 1973 and retiring in 2000 after working as an associate professor and chair of Child, Family and Community Services.

"The expanse and fullness of his stellar contributions are still felt today," Stonecipher said. "He sought to ensure new faculty were practicing theorists and practicing clinicians. Students wholly appreciated the complete array of information he presented in classrooms, as well as his enthusiasm for his subjects."

After lunch, the three emeriti faculty participated in a question-and-answer session, during which they spoke about their experiences when first arriving at SSU and reminisced about their classes, relationships with other faculty and the legacies they all hoped to leave. Dr. Judy Everson, fellow faculty emeritus, served as moderator for the discussion.

Dr. Bill Abler, current chair of the Department of Human Development Counseling, also read a monologue entitled "Of Stasis and Movement: The Portrait as Still Life."

After the portrait unveiling, Genskow's wife spoke words of gratitude for her late husband.

"I'm so proud to stand here and see Jack so honored," she said. "I thank you all for being here and Larry for his comments. The one adjective that rang true to me was 'compassionate.' I just know how proud Jack would be to be presented as he is today. It's a beautiful portrait, and I thank you."